Chakwera justifies on defying Covid rules in Tanzania: Puts back mask on return to Malawi
President Lazarus Chakwera on Thursday returned from Tanzania for an official visit but quickly defended himself from accusations that that he was putting lives of Malawians at risk for defying Coronavirus (Covid-19) guidelines when he removed his face masks during the tour to the neighbouring country.
Throughout his two-days tour, Chakwera did not put on his mask but immediately had it when he landed in Malawi soil.
Chakwera told journalists on arrival at Kamuzu International Airport (KIA) in Lilongwe, that he had to balance Malawi’s tradition and diplomacy as Tanzania’a narrative is that there is no Covid-19 in that country.
Tanzania’s President John Magufuli declared the country “coronavirus-free” thanks to prayers by citizens and Tanzanians do not wear face masks and gloves.
Chakwera said: “In terms of what Tanzania has experienced, the tradition is not to wear masks because they believe the pandemic is over so it is a question of trying to balance what our tradition is and what our diplomatic preference will be in order to establish a true relationship based on trust.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) expressed concern over Tanzania’s strategy on Covid-19.
Magufuli has repeatedly said the health crisis has been exaggerated and urged people to attend services in churches and mosques, saying that prayers “can vanquish” the virus.
The Tanzanian President has also ridiculed the strict measures neighbouring countries have imposed to fight the pandemic.
But Chakwera said he remains committed to fight against the virus pandemic, saying all members of the Malawi delegation had medical certificates as evidence that they were Covid-19 free.
University of Malawi’s Chancellor College political science and public administration lecturer Professor Happy Kayuni said indeed Chakwera found himself in a “delicate situation.”
Kayuni said the “safest route” would have been for Chakwera to convince Magufuli that he needed to wear a mask because he was coming from a country which has Covid-19 hence he did not want to pose a threat to him.
Wearing a mask isn’t a political statement. It’s a scientific recommendation.
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Is chakwera as stupid as magaluf. Doesnt they know that a mask protect the people around the wears from getting infected by a positive wearer..does the virus know the boundaries of tanzania for it to avoid tanzania..well neither the Two presidents know the boundaries
Little by little the facade that is Chakwera is being unveiled for all to see. The man is a poser and you don’t need to look far for the signs. His fake accent is telling, the man wants to play a role, act the part but he is an empty tin. A man in borrowed robes. It shall end in tears.
Far better than APM.
Has COVID become potent because Chakwera is now the president. When COVID 19 was at its pick Chakwera and Chilima and all other politicians campaigned without masks, no social distance rules were followed etc. So what has changed now? Of course what he did in TZ was a sign of weakness and there is no justification for that. COVID 19 is not a ” political or diplomatic infection”
So what 🇲🇼
That’s weak Mr President. Project strength always.
Mukapita Ku dziko koti amayenda ndi shaft pamtunda nanunso yanu mukatulutsa for the sake of diplomacy?
Ndekuti chani? Musamapepele online. Kulemba mbola
When you are in Rome do like them, I salute our President that was excellent
if your friend is an idiot, do you follow his deeds, though you go to his house.
This man is a coward. It’s obvious he went there to beg not negotiate. And for sure such a coward could not the lake issue foward
Peer pressure! Did he also give in to half lake Malawi being part of Tanzania? So if in Rome they swap wives, Chakwera’s diplomacy would require him to swap wives with Magufuli! What proof did Magufuli give him? If Magufuli has a solution for the ‘pandemic’, by all means, offer it to the World or as it sounds, the Tanzanians’ prayers to get rid of covid-19 were answered; why not pray against Covid-19 for the rest of the world?